Sixth Sunday "Get up and Walk"

 

Christ at the Column by Djanira da Motta e Silva,
Private Collection, Rio de Janerio

“The hardness of God is 

kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.”  

C S Lewis, Surprised By Joy: The Shape of My Early Life.

Today is the last Sunday in Lent.  The Easter story is one we have become desensitised to.  If it were altered a bit, we might be 'hit in the face' by the awfulness of the story.  It is the worst of evil at work, at an individual, social and institutional level.  

Gospel According to John Chapter Nineteen

It's a rare sight to see someone die in public.

It induces an evil, seductive fascination.

A state that can only be achieved with company. 

A 'what are they doing here?' innocence.

 

In prolonged agony Jesus called out in thirst.

Not a request, but wine was stuck in his face.

A strange action for a man who was drying up.

 

When the bodies of those men were lowered,

Jesus had been dead for some time.  

The other victims were a tangled mess,

Jesus’ body was strangely complete.  

Pierced with a blade, pied-blood flowed from his side.

 

Friends, Joseph and Nicodemus discussed what to do.

The Judge was keen to get this aberration tidied up.

"Yes please, do dispose of the body."

"I agree it should never have happened this way."

"We'll never live this one down."

 

"My family has recently purchased a tomb.

It's nearby, let's put his body there."

"I brought the embalming kit."

"Act quickly, the whole city is closing for the holiday."

PRAYER:  I can bare the horrors of this world, because you have already done so.